Cuban-American GOP Rep. Says It Would Be a 'Great Honor' For Trump To 'Take The Island & Liberate It'

Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez said he would support President Donald Trump "taking" Cuba after the latter claimed he will have the "honor" of doing it.

In a social media publication, Gimenez posted a video of Trump making the remarks and, as the only "Member of Congress born in Cuba," he "fully supports President Trump's actions against the regime in Havana."

"It would ABSOLUTELY be a great honor for the President to take the island & liberate it!" he added.

"I do believe I'll have the honor of taking Cuba," Trump said on Monday while talking to press at the Oval Office.

"Taking Cuba in some form, whether I free it, take it, I can do anything I want," he added.

The remarks come as the Trump administration continues to put pressure on Cuba, largely by preventing fuel from getting to the island.

Havana is making changes to its economic structure to avoid complete collapse, and is now set to allow nationals living abroad to invest in the private sector and own businesses in their homeland.

Cuba's deputy prime minister and minister of foreign trade and investment, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, told NBC News that the ongoing blockade by the United States is hindering the strategy from coming to fruition. The remarks were made before yet another country-wide blackout hit the island.

"Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with U.S. companies as well with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants," Fraga said, adding that the reform seeks to create what he described as a "dynamic business environment" that could help revive multiple sectors of Cuba's economy.

"This extends beyond the commercial sphere. It also applies to investments — not only small investments, but also large investments, particularly in infrastructure," Fraga added.

The Cuban official added that U.S. sanctions and blockades have slowed the implementation of this new strategy, as a lack of resources such as fuel has deprived the Cuban government of access to financing, technology and other markets.

Elsewhere, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration is seeking to remove President Miguel-Diaz Canel from power. However, it is not pushing for action against members of the Castro family, suggesting a move to achieve its goals without regime change.

Some Trump officials told the outlet that removing Diaz-Canel could allow structural changes in the country that he is reluctant to allow given his hardline views.